Why Australia? Why Wollongong? originated more than 15 years ago when two Australia Day committee members attended an annual women's luncheon at Parliament House. Now each year at our Australia Day dinner "Why Australia? Why Wollongong?" captures brief stories of three to four residents' journeys to Australia and then their stay here in Wollongong. Some stories are presented with emotion, others with humour - but all share one passion of living in Wollongong.

1. Welcome to Wollongong

2. City of Wollongong
Australia Day Overview

8. Australia Day Dinner
 Australia Day Awards
 Why Wollongong /
Why Australia
speakers
 An opportunity to
host sponsors
 Showcase performers

9. Why Australia Why Wollongong

10. Why Australia Why Wollongong
 Our Special highlight - “Why Australia Why
Wollongong” captures brief stories of
residents’ journeys to Australia and then
their stay here in Wollongong
 It has become an important part of our
Australia Day dinner as it captures the
essence of what Australia Day is all about
in a multicultural city

11. Population Base
 Bureau of Statistics Census 2006 show a total of
72.1% people living in Wollongong were born in
Australia and 21.6% were born overseas.
 Dominant non-English speaking countries were
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Italy
and China.
 Other dominant countries were New Zealand,
Germany, Croatia, Portugal and Netherlands.

12. How do we get our Speakers
 Local newspaper articles & local contacts
 University of Wollongong
 Multicultural Ethnics Council
 SCARF (Strategic Community Assistance to
Refugee Families)
 Living Library
 Council’s Community Services Division

13. Where have our Speakers
come from
 Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo,
Libya, Chile, Ghana, Kenya
 Turkey, Macedonia, Afghanistan, Lebanon
 England, United States of America
 China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Iraq, Bosnia
 French Canadian, Italy, Poland,
Netherlands, Belgium, Malta

14.  Tshibanda Gracia
Ngoy
 Why Australia Why
Wollongong
presentation in 2009
 Young Citizen of the
Year 2010

15. THE END RESULT
 Our guests leave on an emotional roller
coaster from the highs and lows as
presented by our speakers
 It emphasizes the diversity of our city
and how important Australia and more
importantly Wollongong, is to them
 Reinforces to us all what we take so
easily for granted – our freedom and
our beautiful country and city

16. Why Australia Why Wollongong